Fences and barriers must be repaired immediately if they are broken into or if any gap occurs in the boundary for any reason
An opening in the fencing around the pond. PIC/Mahesh Gohil
A 70-year-old visually impaired man allegedly drowned after falling into the unfenced Achole pond in Nalasopara East around 8 am on Tuesday. The senior citizen relied on his walking stick to take strolls around the pond area. On the day of the incident, he went for his regular walk and accidentally fell into the water body due to the absence of protective fencing, leading to his drowning. Locals said there had once been a protective fence around the pond, but it had been damaged and left unrepaired for a long time.
Fences and barriers must be repaired immediately if they are broken into or if any gap occurs in the boundary for any reason. Obviously, a perimeter must have been erected for some reason, to keep people out or for some other reason, because straying close to a water body or something that is fenced in may be dangerous. Any kind of gap or even breakage needs prompt attention and action.
While this is one such instance, we have witnessed numerous sites in the city where a border has been deliberately breached, collapsed partially, or slats removed for people to slip through, as it may be a shortcut. Then, it remains like that for months if not years. Sometimes, it is the status quo in spite of being flagged by locals. At times, some kind of makeshift attempt is made to plug cavities using sticks or flimsy boards until permanent repairs are undertaken.
We need speed because leaving something meant to be guarded open is dangerous and can be deadly. Let authorities heed and act on concerns when pointed out, instead of being dismissive or procrastinating, passing the buck or citing other reasons for delay. Temporary warning signs about broken/missing pieces of infrastructure at the site may help, too. Safety and security mean total, good quality perimeters which function for the purpose they have been set up.
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